Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre brings new works to the West Coast

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater debuts three new works in its exclusive engagement at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts March 26 – 30, 2014. The performance features a mini-performance and two full programs that include three works never before performed on the West Coast by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: “Chroma,” “D-Man in the Waters (Part I)” and “LIFT.”

Recognized by the U.S. Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most creative and inspiring dance companies in the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, this is the sixth visit to the Center by the Company. The program also includes the beloved “Grace” and Alvin Ailey’s signature American masterpiece, “Revelations.”

This special engagement at the Segerstrom Center offers three programs, beginning on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. with Discover Ailey an hour long, mini-performance of the works “D-Man in the Waters (Part I)” and “Revelations.” The full length performances continue with Program A on the evenings of March 27, 28 & 29, featuring the works “Chroma,” “D-Man in the Waters (Part I)” and “Revelations.” Program B offers weekend matinee performances (at 2:00 p.m.) on March 29 & 30 of the works “The River,” “LIFT” and “Grace.” Members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will conduct preview lectures one hour prior to each performance. The preview talk on Friday, March 28 will be sign-language interpreted.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. The Ailey company has gone on to perform for an estimated 25 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents, as well as millions more through television broadcasts. The company celebrates the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage. When Mr. Ailey began creating dances, he drew upon his “blood memories” of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel as inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, Revelations. . Today, the Company continues Mr. Ailey’s mission by presenting important works of the past and commissioning new ones. In all, more than 235 works by more than 90 choreographers have been part of the Ailey company’s repertory.

Tickets to Discover Ailey on March 26 are $29 and start at $25 for the complete performances on March 27 – 29. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information visit: www.scfta.org.

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Brittany Gash has worked in Arts & Entertainment in Los Angeles for several years and has made it her mission to explore the diverse art forms running rampant on the streets of L.A. Contact her at bgash_arts@yahoo.com.